LAC-Teaching Philosophy

The Motivation

Buddhism have been received all over Asia and now going to attract people all over the world. There are many sects of Buddhism existing in Asia. Each of the Buddhist sects has taken a peculiar mode of existence, which has enabled to convey original teachings of the Buddha in every historical situation and at every regional cultural, political and other circumstance. A mode of existence is like a vehicle. Every sect of Buddhism (a mode of existence) is recognized as their identity by the people concerned and who have accepted Buddhism. Buddhism of every region has developed a mode of existence as a result of people's struggle with the crisis of their dignity and existence. The mode of existence is generally recognized a Buddhist culture. There is a growing concern in this "global era" that every religion, culture and tradition must have equal significance, dignity and right to exist. Every religion, culture and tradition is an important heritage of mankind. Not only that, people should cooperate among each other for preservation and conservation of every culture and cultural asset. Now the situation is changing in this modern time of globalization. Due to the trend of globalization and the advancement of the communication tools like internet, the concept about religion and traditions are changing and the there is a growing crisis to sustain the cultural space and preserve culture and asset.

LRC was established with a purpose of preserving and passing on of the Buddhist tradition of Kathmandu Valley. It was primarily not for the academic work. But after 18 years of activities, LRC got a conclusion that it should construct Network with other cultures all over the world. It has realized that it should positively contact, exchange and cooperate with people concerned. For this purpose, LRC has decided that it shall use a common tool called academism.

In the past, academic institutions were not involved in the tasks of preserving and conserving a culture in a direct manner. But Academism at this point can be of help as it serves as a common language and platform for making dialog between different cultures in the ground of equality. Also, the development of modern internet technology and media tools has made it easier to make a network, to exchange information and to educate people each other from different parts of the world into a subject. Those modern electronic tools have made it possible to manage teaching and learning in an integrative way over a wider network and distance.

Lotus Academy has been motivated from the social and cultural ground gained by Lotus Research Centre in the field of preservation and promotion of the Buddhist culture in Kathmandu Valley through research and studies. LRC was established in 1988 in the city of Patan as a NGO/NPO. In the first five years of its establishment, it worked on gaining social recognition. In the second five years, it primarily focused on the academic activities training locals and publishing some important scriptures of Vajrayana Buddhism. During the third five year period, the centre extensively collected and archived information on the various aspects of Buddhist heritage of Kathmandu Valley in multimedia digital format. In the course of time, LRC has been able to create a network with scholars from around the world. It has been successful in creating network between local scholars and international academicians. It has also organized four international conferences participated by local and foreign scholars during the course of time. One such conference that was held during the month of September, 2005 in Kathmandu passed a declaration that emphasized the need of an international academic centre that provides wide opportunities on the field of Nepalese Buddhist studies. This paper proposes, taking the declaration as a motivating ground, to establish a University that provides specialized graduate courses on the Buddhism of Kathmandu Valley adopting the methods of a Conventional University as well the Virtual Net University. Encouraged by the experience and international connection gained by LRC, we think the proposed University will be successful in educating the world with wonderful teachings of Nepalese Buddhism and thus contribute to the attainment of peace, freedom and equality.

Purpose and Ideals

Lotus Academy and Lotus Research Centre share similar ideals.

- The main motivation of Lotus Academy is to contribute to the long-term preservation and promotion of Newar Buddhist heritage using conventional, academic as well as modern tools.

- To contribute to revitalize/reconstruct every aspect of Newar Buddhist heritage in order for it to become a world-class Vajrayana system.

- To help create a new ‘mode of existence’ so that the heritage can be able to sustain itself against the devastating force of globalization.

- To spread the practice of generating Bodhi-mind that integrates spiritual development with human values like the social happiness, world peace, prosperity and harmony.

Keeping those ideals as guideline for its activities, Lotus Academy imparts following objectives:

- The vajrayana Buddhism is in the crisis today in the era of globalization. The primary objective of Lotus Academy is to preserve the Vajrayana Buddhist tradition of Kathmandu valley through-

◊ Research (academic approach)

◊ Preservation of the identity/originality/legitimacy of the Newar Buddhist heritage (‘mode of existence’ approach)

◊ Preservation of the culture as a world heritage (‘world heritage’ approach)

- To help develop the procedures and techniques of the Vajrayana Buddhist culture of Kathmandu valley so that it may become acceptable as a heritage of world standard.

- To train people to become wholistic leaders of Vajrayana Buddhism by teaching them

◊ Sanskrit language

◊ Proper Ritual proceedings

◊ Academic methodology with a wholistic approach that will integrate his entire lifestyle,i.e., the body, speech and mind. (in such a way that the person should become a real guru trained in social, cultural and academic aspects)

- To open the vajrayana Buddhism and its culture in the possible extent to the world. For this the vajrayana of nepal should develop to a global standard so that it can be promoted in the global way. The tools of this can be-

◊ Academic research and training

◊ Presence of Unbroken source/lineage and legitimacy from Shakyamuni to till day (newar Buddhism is the last remaining original Buddhist form of India). This legitimacy of Newar Buddhism should be promoted.

◊ Promoting the lifestyle based on the vajrayana system. The heritage of newar Buddhist lifestyle can be introduced.

With the guideline provided by Lotus Research Centre, Lotus Academy has developed the courses for both the formal and non-formal degrees that provide comprehensive and in-depth knowledge on various aspects of Buddhism with special reference to Nepalese Buddhism. The syllabus will concentrate on the following points:

◊ Impart the students with knowledge of the history of Buddhism, Buddhist art, culture, literature and the society, its growth and spread in Nepal, India and abroad.

◊ Provide comprehensive education on Buddhism and Buddhist heritage of Nepal Mandala to the new generation.

◊ Develop a new and practical mode of Learning Management System (LMS) of net University with help of multimedia tools and the outsourcing model of social, religious and academic network.

◊ Administer graduate level courses containing Post Graduate Diploma and Masters’ courses both to Nepali and the foreign students.

◊ Run both formal and non-formal courses for locals as well foreigners.

◊ Publish academic works related to the religion, culture, art, architecture and allied subjects on Buddhist heritage of Nepal.

◊ Create multimedia archives of the Buddhist heritage of Nepal and make them available to the world.

◊ Promote worldwide forum of various Buddhist traditions and enhance cultural cooperation and exchange programs on basis of multiculturalism and status.